The news of Qin's defeat swept the world like a hurricane, but Zhao Yong, who was thousands of miles away at this time, had not yet received this shocking news.
In early summer, the weather is clear and warm. After a rain, it will clear up and the air will be fresher. After the rain, the mountains and rivers inside and outside are crisp and pleasant. The branches, leaves and young grass are lush and green. Catkins are rippling slightly in the air. Looking from a distance, Perfect as a painting.
Although there were some minor twists and turns in the 'friendly' meeting with Erhu, the result was considered satisfactory.
In order to stabilize Erhu, Zhao Yong made a deal with them, agreeing to purchase one thousand of their horses at the price of three hundred pairs of armor every year.
Of course, this deal is undoubtedly a loss for the Zhao State. You must know that the regular armies of various countries in this era are less than 30% equipped with armor. Swords are not prohibited among the people of various countries, but the control of armor is very strict.
It's just that the iron smelting technology of this era was too backward. Zhao Yong once inspected part of the Zhao army. Most of the forged weapons were actually made of copper, and some of the armors were also made of cowhide. Only a small number of senior generals. Only then can one wear iron armor. I imagine the situation in other countries is similar.
But after all, I have to ask for help from others, so I still have to make some sacrifices. This result was finally decided after Zhao Yong discussed with the ministers.
So when Zhao Yong proposed this deal, both King Lou Fan and King Lin Hu readily agreed.
Just kidding, only fools would disagree. With these three hundred pieces of armor, they can organize a more powerful cavalry. Even if they cannot plunder Zhao's population and wealth for the time being, aren't there Qin and Yan? They even plunder each other. object.
King Lou Fan even thought to himself: Can he secretly make some deals with Zhao Hou? The newly succeeded Zhao Hou seems to be quite generous.
In the eyes of the Hu people, the value of armor is much higher than horses, or even population.
In their minds, they had long regarded Zhao Yong as a wealthy man who did not understand market prices.
But in Zhao Yong's opinion, this is actually a good deal compared to buying and selling.
Although the State of Zhao has its own horse-producing areas, in terms of quality, it is still slightly inferior to that of the Hu people. Of course, the best horse breed at this time is the Qin horse.
No matter what, let's stabilize Erhu first, wait until he destroys Zhongshan, and then turn around and deal with them.
...The weather cleared up, and Zhao Yong and Meng Rou lazily basked in the sun in the garden.
Outside the bedroom of the Daiwang Palace, Zhao Yong looked at a pomegranate plant not far away. The green leaves lined with red flowers looked like a burning fire...yes, it was a pomegranate.
'Is there a pomegranate in this era? 'Zhao Yong had some doubts in his heart.
Meng Rou, who was beside her, saw her monarch suddenly staring blankly not far away. She couldn't help but chuckled and said, "The monarch is jealous of that short tree?"
"Is Rou'er talking about that pomegranate tree?" Zhao Yong replied to himself.
In Zhao Yong's impression, pomegranates should have been introduced to the Central Plains after the Han Dynasty, and pomegranate trees like moisture and should grow in the Huainan area where there is more water vapor.
"Pomegranate? What a nice name. How did the monarch know it's called pomegranate?" Meng Rou said curiously.
"Who planted this tree?" Zhao Yong did not answer her question.
"A few years ago, when the people from Xihu came to see the late emperor, they left some seeds behind. Butler Cao asked the palace maids to sow them all over the palace. I planted this one myself in the autumn of the year before last." Meng Rou She replied happily, and the bayao on her head trembled with her shaking.
She could see that her monarch loved this pomegranate tree.
Zhao Yong didn't know at this time that the earth's climate at this time was different from the warm zone in later generations. The average precipitation in China during this period could reach 1000+MM, while in later generations it was only half of what it is now. There are crocodiles in the Fenhe River now.
At this time, the most suitable areas for human habitation are the Central Plains areas such as Sanjin and Qilu. The south is mostly a smog and barbaric land, which is not suitable for human survival.
"Your Majesty, the chariot has been prepared. Please ask your Majesty and Young Concubine to move over." Cao Ji called softly from beside him.
(The principal wives of princes are called Yuanfei, and the concubines of princes are collectively called young concubines.)
There was still more than a month before the Longmen Prime Minister's appointment on May 18th. Zhao Yong didn't want to let himself suffer anymore, so he rode back to Handan. What a joke.
He wanted to take a good tour of the great rivers and mountains of Zhao State. To the southeast of Dai County was Qingliang Mountain, which was also known as Mount Wutai in later generations.
Of course, Mount Wutai was not a Buddhist holy land at this time, and even the title of Buddhism only came into existence after the Han Dynasty. Maybe some monks had already come to China to preach at this time, but they must have been captured as slaves and went to mine.
Outside the palace gate, civil and military officials from Daidi had been waiting early.
Zhao Yong looked down from a high place and looked around, but did not find the beautiful figure that he longed for in his heart. Yao Lan must have come, but there were too many people and he was too embarrassed to come forward. At this time, she should be watching quietly somewhere. Myself, women are just pretentious. Thinking of this, Zhao Yong felt enlightened.
This is what men are like, the beautiful woman is obviously right next to them, but they are always thinking of her in their hearts.
There were about a hundred or so people in the team returning to Handan. In the middle was Zhao Yong's chariot, followed by a smaller carriage, in which sat Meng Rou and two personal maids.
There were more people in the team, and there were also female relatives in the team. It took two days of stop and go before they arrived at Huo Renyi. (Today Fanzhi County, Shanxi Province)
Towards evening, Zhao Yong and his party were preparing to enter the city. Suddenly, several soldiers riding armor suddenly appeared on the straight road not far away, running straight towards the team.
Seeing this, the guards on Chengyu's left and right hurriedly put away their lazy expressions, turned around and prepared their weapons.
Pang Nuan walked out of the team first and shouted to the front: "Someone, get off your horse!"
"This servant is Niu Jian, the captain of Wucheng. He has important military information and needs to report to the king urgently! Please also ask General Pang Nuan to inform you!" A figure on the cavalry in front shouted loudly to the cavalry team. From his tone, he seemed to recognize Pang Nuan.
Before anyone arrived, the voice came first, and the voice was loud and loud. Even Zhao Yong, who was riding in the center of the team, heard it clearly.
Wucheng is located on the eastern frontier of Zhao State, with no mountains on either side. In order to defend against the invasion of Qi in the third year of Zhao Suhou, he ordered military preparations every year to build cities for defense and garrison troops. It is called a city of military preparations.
Could it be that Qi has come to attack Zhao? Zhao Yong was suddenly shocked. No longer caring about etiquette, he opened the curtain and shouted outside: "Let Niu Jian come forward and answer!"
"Here!"
Niu Jian is a strong man in his thirties. Half a month ago, the Qin and Wei armies suddenly appeared on the borders of Qi, Wei and Zhao. It seemed that there was a large-scale movement.
At that time, he had already reported to Handan urgently, requesting additional troops.
However, not even a few days passed before news of the Qin army's defeat came again. Niu Jian thought at first that he had heard wrongly, but it was not until he saw with his own eyes the defeated troops of the Qin army fleeing west that he woke up from a dream.
The Qin army was defeated, the arrogant Qin army was defeated! He immediately went north to tell the king the exciting news. Of course, he also wanted to guard against the invasion of Qiang Qi.
